You think you can, we KNOW you can. DART had some fun creating a video about its services and how you can use them! Plan your trip at ridedart.com.
For many Greater Des Moines area employees and students, a car is a luxury. But their ability to get to work and school is essential to their future individual success as well as to creating a vibrant community.
Eric Burmeister, executive director of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund, works to ensure that all Polk County citizens have safe, stable and affordable housing.
“We know from our research that the folks in the community we serve are dependent on public transportation,” says Eric Burmeister. “For many of our region’s families who make less than $20,000 annually, the ability to get to jobs, the grocery store and doctor appointments is dependent on the availability of a robust transportation service.”
“Housing and transportation costs take up much of take-home pay for these families. When we can work together to reduce these costs, it gives them more money for food, medical care and educational opportunities for their kids,” says Burmeister. “The ultimate beneficiary are the folks in the community who then have additional resources to spend on things that are important to them.”
Why do YOU support public transportation? Share your reason with the hashtag, #5MillionRides.
Name: Laural
Hometown: Nevada, IA
“The main reason I chose to participate in the RideShare program was to save money and wear and tear on my personal vehicle. Not only that, but it helps protect our environment by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
I am the primary driver for my van and I think the thing I like the most is when the weather is bad and everyone thanks me for getting them safely to their destination. I also, really enjoy meeting new people and the lively conversations we get into on our rides to and from work.
Anytime I talk to people about joining the van I always tell them about how much money they will save. I also make sure to mention that they can take advantage of their commute time by reading, watching a video, or even sleeping an extra 30-40 minutes in the morning.”
Laural’s story is one of the many we’re telling on our way to 5 Million Rides. Learn more about DART’s 5 Million Rides goal here: http://bit.ly/1LMjX6x. #5MillionRides
Scott is passionate about transportation in Greater Des Moines – making it easier for people to walk, bike and use public transit.
Why do you ride DART? Why do you support public transportation?
I’ve slowly been adopting a “car light” lifestyle using a combination of bike commuting and public transportation. It saves me money, is better for my physical health, and improves my mental health, as well. On days that I have to drive, I definitely notice a difference in my attitude.
How do you think public transportation affects our community?
Public transportation makes it easier for all people to get to work, to church, to school. More and more people are realizing how ridiculously expensive it is to own and operate a car, and would prefer to spend their money on more important things. Personally, I have a 15-year-old car with over 200 thousand miles that I want to avoid replacing.
Why should others support public transit?
Even if you plan to never step foot on a bus, you should support a strong public transit system, because people riding public transit takes other cars off the road.
What are you involved in outside of work? What do you do for fun?
I am the Board President for the Des Moines Bike Collective. At the Collective we refurbish used bikes to give to people who can’t afford them, and teach people how to ride as well as maintain their bikes. We also promote bicycling as a means of transportation, wellness, and recreation. For fun I like build my own brazed steel bike frames, and have made several for myself.
Scott’s story is one of the many we’re telling on our way to 5 Million Rides. Learn more about DART’s 5 Million Rides goal here: http://bit.ly/1LMjX6x.
Ride the new Route 5 – Franklin Ave for FREE! Now through Saturday, October 10, 2015.
The new Route 5 – Franklin Ave connects Merle Hay Mall to DART Central Station, providing service Monday through Friday, 6:15 a.m. until 8:45 p.m.
The route makes additional stops at Franklin Public Library, Mercy-Franklin Medical Center, Drake University and downtown Des Moines.
More information about new Route 5:
You’ll love what we’re sharing on Instagram! Give us a follow and share your photos with the hashtag, #rideDART! https://instagram.com/ridedart/
Park your car for free and ride DART for a quick, convenient trip to the Iowa State Fairgrounds! DART buses will run from 8:30 a.m. to midnight each day of the Iowa State Fair, August 13 – 23.
It’s Iowa State Fair time! Park for free and take DART to the Fairgrounds.
DART ticket booth at the Iowa State Capitol. Riders must purchase their round-trip tickets before boarding the bus.
Free parking is available at three DART Park & Ride locations:
DART Staff will be available at bus entrances to take riders’ round-trip tickets.
DART round-trip fares are cash only, day of ride:
Show your Iowa State Fair advance admission ticket at one of Park & Ride locations and ride DART for half off the round-trip fare! One-way fares are available upon request.
Hillary Clinton toured DART Central Station on Monday, July 27, 2015, followed by comments to the press. DART General Manager Elizabeth Presutti led the tour, which highlighted the building’s environmentally sustainable construction and operations.
DART Central Station has been certified LEED Platinum, the highest certification of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System of the U.S. Green Building Council.
The building achieved this certification through sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
For more photos, visit DART’s Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/1LPIiJj.
Hillary Clinton speaks with DART General Manager Elizabeth Presutti.
DART Building Supervisor Keith Welch shows Hillary Clinton the geothermal wells that help with the heating and cooling of DART Central Station.
Members of the DART Commission Board meet with Hillary Clinton during her tour of DART Central Station.
Media from across the county filled the bicycle storage room at DART Central Station to hear Hillary Clinton speak.
No time for the gym? Want to save even more money on gas? Ride your bike to and from your pick up location or pump those pedals during your lunch break!
DART RideShare will provide free installation of a bike rack at the request of riders in a vanpool. Racks are fitted to the rear of the vehicles and hold up to two bicycles.
To request a bike rack on your van, please call RideShare Customer Service at 515-288-RIDE (7433) or email rideshare@ridedart.com.
When you bike to work, you save money, get your daily exercise and avoid traffic congestion. And with a growing trail network, bike-friendly streets and bike racks on DART buses, it’s easier than ever to bike to work in Greater Des Moines.
Commuting by Bike: 7 Steps to Get Started
Amber Lewis bikes to work nearly every day – even through the winter months.
1. The obvious: buy a bike. Or repair the one you have. You don’t need an expensive or new bike—just one that works. Amber Lewis, who lives in the Beaverdale area, has been biking to work in Downtown Des Moines since March 2013.
“Biking to work seemed like a fun challenge,” said Lewis. “I had an old bike that I had bought for $50, with a seat post that was broken and stuck in a position that was way too low for me.” Lewis commutes three miles each way; biking during the winter on most days.
2. Buy the safety gear. A helmet and reflective gear are necessary for a safe ride to work or any destination on your bike.
Need a bike or the safety gear? Visit one of these local bikes shops: http://dsmbikecollective.org/resources/area-bike-shops/
3. Learn the hand signals. Lewis says you have to stay alert and aware of your surroundings when biking on the streets. She tries to be predictable and cautious during her commute by signaling well for drivers.
4. Have a back-up plan and prepare for the weather. Check the forecast the night before and know your options for alternative modes of transportation in the event of an emergency. “Figure out if there is a bus route near you that could help if you happen to get stuck somewhere for any reason,” said Lewis. DART has bike racks on all Local, Express and On Call routes, making it easy to bike and ride.
5. Practice your route and routine. Todd Slaymaker, of the Drake neighborhood, bikes 12 miles each way to work in West Des Moines. He rides on both bike paths and residential streets during his commute. “My rule of thumb is not to ride on four-lane roads,” said Slaymaker.
Google maps allows you to view bike paths in the Des Moines area and map out when you’ll need to ride on the street or use DART to get to your destination. Ride your route on the weekend and figure out how much time you need to allow for biking and to get ready each morning and afternoon.
DART Local, Express and On Call buses are equipped with bike racks, making it easy to use public transit as an extension of your commute by bike.
6. Learn minor bike repairs and maintenance. This includes fixing a flat, basic chain care and knowing when it’s time to visit the repair shop.
7. Ask your employer about resources. Chances are, your employer has incentives like bike parking, showers or changing rooms and flex-time schedules for bicyclists. Slaymaker says his employer offers covered bike storage, showers and changing rooms, which he utilizes every day he bikes to work.
If you work in the downtown area, DART Central Station has secure, climate controlled bike storage and changing rooms available for a $50 annual fee plus a $50 deposit.
Bike to Work Week is May 11 – 15, 2015. Board DART with a bike and ride FREE! For more information about DART resources for bicyclists, visit ridedart.com.
The Bus Blog -- Des Moines, Iowa 
